Tube Opening And Closing Patents (Class 493/255)
  • Patent number: 10486843
    Abstract: The packaging system forms a transportable container for bulk goods having stretch wrap that is spirally wrapped about a bottom support and bulk goods to define the transportable container. The stretch wrap contacts at least a portion of the bulk goods to squeeze and lock together the bulk goods. During filling, the bottom support of the transportable container lowers as the transportable container is formed to accommodate additional bulk goods. The stretch wrap is prestretched from a non-stretched state to a stretched state prior to disposing the wrap about a slip frame former in the stretched state. The wrap returns to its non-stretched state as it is disengaged from the slip frame former to squeeze and lock together the bulk goods disposed therein. The packaging system results in a transportable container that is optimally packed and shaped for the efficient filling of a truck for shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: KELLOGG COMPANY
    Inventors: David C. Ours, Sharon B. Juntunen
  • Patent number: 9689601
    Abstract: A bag sealer and an ice vending machine using the same are provided. The ice vending machine includes an ice making module, an ice storage bin, a bag sealer, and an ice guiding mechanism. The ice storage bin is located below the ice making module and used for storing the ice manufactured from the ice making module. The ice guiding mechanism is disposed between the ice storage bin and the bag sealer. The ice guiding mechanism is used for guiding the ice from the ice storage bin into the bag sealer. Because a cutting tool of the bag sealer is using the first electrothermal element to cut the roll of the plastic bags, the bag sealer can be installed in the ice vending machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: DONGGUAN JIA FENG MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yung-Shung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20150111712
    Abstract: Machine 2 and associated method for making a bag bottom “B” starts from a single tube-shaped sheet “F”. The machine includes: at least one opening element 21 for spreading apart the tube-shaped sheet “F”, which is positioned between a first portion “s1” and a second portion “s2” of the sheet “F”. At least one actuating device 3 moves the first portion “s1”. The machine further includes at least one first striker element 22 for defining a first folding point for making a first side “l1” of the bag bottom “B” after the first portion “s1” has been moved, and at least one second striker element 23, inclined by an angle “a” relative to the first element 22, for defining a second folding point for making a second side “l2” of the bag bottom “B” after the first portion “s1” has been moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Roberto Emilio GINGARDI, Giuseppe PANEPINTO
  • Publication number: 20090232424
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a flat bottom pillow pouch that can stand upright on its bottom transverse seal. The flat bottom pillow bag can be made from the same film as a standard pillow pouch and requires less film than prior art stand up packages. The flat bottom pillow pouch disclosed herein has no gussets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph Bierschenk, Martin Bernhard Dierl, Chad Arthur Huebner, Jerry Mike Reaves
  • Patent number: 6991592
    Abstract: A method for folding a polymeric flat bottom bag. The process includes, in general, opening the partially folded bottom of the unfinished bag, pulling the bag bottom taught in the transverse direction, and forming a fin where the two material edges join. A sharp crease is formed between the fin and the base portions of the bag bottom, and the fin is sealed. The fin is creased and sealed while the bag is moving in its transverse direction. The bag's direction is changed, so that the bag is moving in its longitudinal direction, and the fin flaps then folded against the base of the bag bottom. The flaps are sealed to the bottom, resulting in a flat bottom bag. A label may be added to the bottom of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Genpak LLC
    Inventors: James Trygve Wold, Edward Stanley Madej
  • Publication number: 20040053760
    Abstract: The container of the present invention is formed at the upper portion of the main body with the foldable portion having folding lines for easily folding the foldable portion. Processes for forming the container comprises the first step for forming the preform by the injection and the second step for forming the finished product having the foldable portion by the blow molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Jung-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 6328683
    Abstract: A device for pulling up the ends of transverse-conveyed flat tubular segments during the production of sacks or bags comprises lateral support elements, which run parallel to the conveying zone and between which a slit is formed that lies in the conveying plane and beyond which the ends to be pulled up project, and comprising mechanisms for pre-opening the ends by pulling apart the tubular sides that lie on top of each other. To pull up easily the ends of the tubular segments, the support elements in one section of the conveying zone form an obtuse angle in the shape of a peaked roof behind the mechanisms for pre-opening. In this section at least one roll is positioned in such a manner at the support elements that the leading tubular edge strikes the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Windmöller & Hölscher
    Inventor: Horst Rautenberg
  • Patent number: 6059707
    Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of easy to open handle bags including the steps of providing a flattened tube of thermoplastic material oriented in a generally longitudinal direction. The flattened tube has a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge, a transverse lower heat seal, and a transverse upper heat seal. The tube also has first, second, and third sections. The second section being disposed between the first and third sections. The first section is joined to the second section along a generally longitudinal first fold line. The second section is joined to the third section along a generally longitudinal second fold line. The second section is cut along a generally transverse first cut line extending between the first and second fold lines. The first section is folded over the second section along the first fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Belias, Robert T. Maddock
  • Patent number: 5857954
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing cross bottom sacks from laid-flat tubular sections consists of a frame having:- a table, means for holding the tubular section thereon in a processing station where the ends of the tubular section become opened out into a bottom square or rectangle, a suction gap arranged in the table in the zone of one of the ends of the tubular section, and suction means mounted in the frame above the suction gap and which is able to be raised and lowered for opening one end of the tubular section. Above the plane of the tubular section situated in the processing station, a slide can be extended and retracted over the table in the direction of the median line of the tubular section, the median line of the slide defining with the median line of the tubular section a plane perpendicular to the plane of the tubular section. The width of the slide is less than the interspacing of the hypotenuses of the two opened-out corner folds from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Windmoller & Holscher
    Inventors: Fritz Achelpohl, Richard Feldkamper, Andreas Kampschulte, Uwe Kohn
  • Patent number: 5728037
    Abstract: A method of making a factory end for a bag assembly, in which a removable plastic bag will be contained within a protective outer bag, includes steps of providing a tube assembly having a plastic inner tube within an outer tube; sealing one end of the plastic inner tube so as to be closed at said one end; and closing the outer tube about the closed one end of the inner tube in such a manner that no plastic material from said inner tube is permanently affixed to the outer tube, whereby the outer tube may be efficiently recycled or incinerated after it is separated from the inner tube by a consumer. The bag assembly itself is disclosed as a separate aspect of the invention. Methods for making the tube assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Union Camp Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur M. Pryor, Lattie G. Futch, Robert W. Bolling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5697879
    Abstract: A method for folding and glueing a sheet of paper that contains informations and serves both as a letter and an envelope, wherein the sheet (40) is folded transverse to its parallel lateral edges (41). The lateral edges (41), the end edge (45) of the last folded sheet portion (40a) and the transverse edge (46) are closed by glue joints, and the folded and glued lateral edges (41) and the transverse edge (46) are perforated. The travel direction of the sheet is changed by about 90.degree. after treatment of the lateral edges (41). To make the transverse glue joints tight, transverse glueing of the end edge (45) of the last folded sheet portion (40a) and the transverse edge (46) is performed just before perforation of these parts by opening slightly the sheet portions (40a, 40b, 40c) that are to be glued together and by spraying glue on the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Mail Systems Oy
    Inventor: Risto Nokelainen
  • Patent number: 5672308
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a seal portion of a tubular body of synthetic resin is provided in which the seal portion has increased density and reduced foaming. The apparatus includes a pair of clamps that clamp an end portion of a tubular body of resin flat. A heater heats and fuses a projecting end portion projecting from the clamps. A bending member bends side projecting portions of the body formed during heating so that they are inwardly projecting. A press member presses the projecting end portion to form a seal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mamoru Fujita
  • Patent number: 5048270
    Abstract: A spreader device for the lower end of a forming and filling tube of a form, fill and seal machine has an operator located on the outside of the upper end of the tube. The operator may effect oscillations causing the finger to swing into and out of spreading position, or the operator may cause the finger to reciprocate into and out of spreading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Zip-Pak Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael J. McMahon
  • Patent number: 5002400
    Abstract: A flexible container is formed from a hose-like blank having two diametrically opposite longitudinal slots or holes and at least one intermediate slot or hole. One half of the hose-like blank is inserted through the intermediate slot in such way that one inner sack, one outer sack and at least one integral lifting loop defined by material areas are formed. Two material areas are formed by material sections between the opposite slots and the intermediate slot extending from the outer sack directly into the inner sack. A third material area is formed by a material section between the opposite slots and extending from the outer sack between the first two material area and into the inner sack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro a.s.
    Inventor: Olaf Strand
  • Patent number: 4934994
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to form tubular shaped individual cartons from a web of flat tubular material. The flat tubular material is advanced to a tube forming station whereat a portion thereof is bulged so that it can be inserted on a mandrel to maintain its shape. After insertion on the mandrel it is cut to form an individual carton separate from the web of flat tubular material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Milliken Packaging
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 4908009
    Abstract: A corner forming unit of a package forming machine which employs an H-shaped guide over which the packaging material passes after it has been longitudinally sealed. A pair of rollers outside of the tube of material forms the edges of the packaging material into the H-shaped guide to form the corners of the material from which individual filled rectangular packages will be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 4546592
    Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a liquid package made of paper coated with plastic on at least one surface including a pair of extending fingers that can be inserted in the open end of the package to flatten the top edges thereof into a single strip; a pair of welding jaws to seal the top folded seam strip; and drive mechanisms to operate the fingers and jaws. Each extending finger is flat at its engaging end with the package, the narrow edges of which are rounded in cross section, with its longitudinal axis initially perpendicular to the top of the folded seam strip. The fingers are driven down and out to flatten the top edges and form an elongated seam strip whereafter the welding jaws, driven synchronously with the movement of the fingers, seal and strip the seam strip off the extending fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Tetra Pak Developement S.A.
    Inventor: Wilhelm Reil
  • Patent number: 4468213
    Abstract: When two sheets of slack material, for example the two sides of a paper or plastics bag, are to be separated by means of a pointed tool, problems arise because the two sheets can easily bend over, both in the same direction. If moreover these sheets are formed from smooth material, they also adhere together by vacuum sealing or by electrostatical forces. The solution for these problems is to enclose the sheets into a positioning block, in which a hollow space is recessed or saved for receiving the volume of the pointed tool to be driven thereinbetween. This driving-in of the pointed tool can be combined with the issuance of pressurized air between the sheets. To this end the pointed tool is provided with grooves for guiding the pressurized air or with a separate blow-pipe slidable over the pointed tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Colpitt B.V.
    Inventor: Albertus B. Termaat